Can a forehead implant that appears shifted to one side be corrected?
Can a forehead implant that appears shifted to one side be corrected?
A forehead implant may appear shifted to one side for various reasons, including actual displacement, changes in surrounding tissues, or pre-existing asymmetry.
Here, we discuss when correction may be needed and the available treatment approaches.
After forehead implant surgery, some patients visit because they notice in the mirror or by touch that "the implant seems to have shifted to one side" or "my forehead looks more asymmetrical than before."
However, not all visible asymmetry is caused by a change in implant position.
The implant may have moved, but changes in surrounding tissue or pre-existing side-to-side asymmetry can also create this appearance.
It is therefore important to identify the cause accurately before deciding whether correction is needed.
Q1. Can a forehead implant actually move to one side?
Yes. An implant may shift or tilt from its original position if its pocket is excessively large, fixation is insufficient, or there has been an external impact.
However, an asymmetrical appearance alone does not establish that the implant has moved.
Pre-existing side-to-side differences in the forehead bone and surrounding soft tissue must also be assessed.
Q2. Can the implant look off-center even if it is correctly positioned?
Yes. Immediately after surgery, unequal swelling can make one side look higher or more prominent.
Later on, changes in tissue around the implant, differences in skin and fat thickness, forehead muscle movement, or pre-existing skeletal asymmetry can make the implant appear off-center.
It is therefore important to assess both the implant's position and its surrounding tissues.
Q3. What examinations are needed?
First, we review when surgery was performed, the implant material, when symptoms began, and any pain or signs of inflammation, followed by visual examination and palpation.
If examination alone cannot distinguish the cause, imaging such as CT may be selected to assess implant position and surrounding tissues more accurately.
Not every patient needs the same tests. The appropriate examination should be chosen according to symptoms and implant characteristics.
Q4. Can a forehead implant that has shifted to one side be corrected?
Whether and how correction is possible depends on the cause.
If the implant has actually moved or tilted, repositioning, removal, or replacement may be considered.
If the implant pocket has become excessively large, it may need adjustment or reconstruction to hold the implant more securely.
Conversely, if asymmetry originates in the skeleton, skin, fat, or other surrounding tissues, adjusting the implant position alone may not provide sufficient improvement.
The cause of the asymmetry should therefore be established before selecting a corrective approach.
Q5. Must the implant be removed?
An off-center appearance does not mean the implant must always be removed.
The treatment plan follows a comprehensive assessment of implant position and material, adhesions to surrounding tissue, inflammation, and the patient's desired forehead shape.
Depending on the findings, the following options may be considered.
- Repositioning the existing implant
- Removing and replacing the implant
- Removing the implant, then considering another contouring approach such as autologous fat grafting according to tissue condition and recovery
- If inflammation or tissue damage is present, removing the implant first and planning a 2nd-stage correction after adequate recovery
What matters is choosing the treatment best suited to the current condition, rather than removal itself.
Q6. What symptoms should prompt a medical assessment?
In addition to differences in shape between the sides, assessment is advisable if any of the following occur.
- Sudden swelling or a change in shape on one side
- Skin redness or warmth
- Persistent or worsening pain or tenderness
- Thinning skin with a more visible implant outline
- A wound or discharge
- Noticeable implant movement or a feeling that it has descended
These symptoms may reflect something beyond simple asymmetry, so an accurate medical assessment is advisable.
Q7. How does UVOM Plastic Surgery plan correction?
The reason a forehead implant appears off-center can differ between patients.
At UVOM Plastic Surgery, we identify the cause by assessing implant position, material and shape, the implantation plane, surrounding tissue condition, existing forehead skeletal asymmetry, and the previous surgical technique.
We then determine whether to reposition, remove, or replace the implant and whether surrounding tissues need additional correction. During surgery, we assess the implant and surrounding tissues and perform the necessary treatment within an appropriate extent, prioritizing a plan suited to the patient's condition.
It is important to analyze why the change occurred and plan treatment accordingly, rather than simply correcting the off-center appearance.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Can an implant suddenly look off-center long after surgery?
A. Yes. Changes in surrounding tissue or the implant's local environment over time can make it feel different. Examination is advisable to identify the precise cause.
Q. Is it normal to feel the implant or a little movement?
A. Implant palpability varies between individuals, and a sensation of movement alone does not establish malposition. If symptoms persist or accompany a change in shape, medical assessment is advisable.
Q. Does correction use the existing incision?
A. Yes. At UVOM Plastic Surgery, we prioritize removal through the existing incision,
and if an additional incision is needed, we extend from the existing incision by approximately 1–2 cm. The exact surgical plan is determined after examination with the surgical team.
Not every forehead implant that looks off-center has the same underlying cause.
The implant may have changed position, but surrounding tissue changes or pre-existing side-to-side asymmetry may also explain the appearance.
Before deciding whether revision surgery is needed, it is important to identify accurately why the change occurred.
Thorough analysis of the cause and an appropriate treatment plan may help reduce unnecessary revision surgery and support a more natural, stable result.
If you are concerned that your forehead implant looks off-center, please contact us at 02-545-3700 or via KakaoTalk at 'UVOM Plastic Surgery'.
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